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MQA via Tidal

Can i add my weight to this question. I run a squeezebox touch via a LMS on a home network with Tidal plugin.

Over on the Meridian forums there has been considerable debate around accessing MQA titles both via the Tidal desktop application, and via Roon and Sooloos platforms. To be clear, those platforms are not performing any software decoding at this stage, but allowing the titles to be accessed and played on appropriate hardware rather than using the Tidal desktop route. This can be done easily by accessing the masters page in the Tidal desktop app, selecting titles as favourites and creating named playlists which are then accessed and played via the relevant/prefered CUI.

I can therefore access and play this MQA material via the Tidal App in LMS via the player and web interface. If played via an appropriate MQA enabled device - ie a Meridian Explorer 2 connected to the Touch via usb (via edo) the material 'should' render in the unfolded 24/96 or higher resolution given the squeezebox's bit perfect chain - it isn't. The material is capping out at standard Tidal hifi quality 16/44.1. Others have tested this via the Roon / Squeezebox route and the MQA material plays as it should, when swapping back to LMS however the high resolutions are lost.

This suggest an issue with LMS or the Tidal app interface in passing on 'currently' undecoded MQA files. Any thoughts ideas?

Clearly an ability to access decoded files is also very desirable, as per the questions earlier in this thread - ie software decoding in LMS or passthrough of the Tidal software decoded streams but the question above at least provides for MQA if there is some capable hardware in the chain via the LMS architecture.

Can i add my weight to this question. I run a squeezebox touch via a LMS on a home network with Tidal plugin.

Over on the Meridian forums there has been considerable debate around accessing MQA titles both via the Tidal desktop application, and via Roon and Sooloos platforms. To be clear, those platforms are not performing any software decoding at this stage, but allowing the titles to be accessed and played on appropriate hardware rather than using the Tidal desktop route. This can be done easily by accessing the masters page in the Tidal desktop app, selecting titles as favourites and creating named playlists which are then accessed and played via the relevant/prefered CUI.

I can therefore access and play this MQA material via the Tidal App in LMS via the player and web interface. If played via an appropriate MQA enabled device - ie a Meridian Explorer 2 connected to the Touch via usb (via edo) the material 'should' render in the unfolded 24/96 or higher resolution given the squeezebox's bit perfect chain - it isn't. The material is capping out at standard Tidal hifi quality 16/44.1. Others have tested this via the Roon / Squeezebox route and the MQA material plays as it should, when swapping back to LMS however the high resolutions are lost.

This suggest an issue with LMS or the Tidal app interface in passing on 'currently' undecoded MQA files. Any thoughts ideas?

Clearly an ability to access decoded files is also very desirable, as per the questions earlier in this thread - ie software decoding in LMS or passthrough of the Tidal software decoded streams but the question above at least provides for MQA if there is some capable hardware in the chain via the LMS architecture.

here's hoping....

Interesting stuff Lee, thanks for sharing.
Have you tried Tidal via the Ickstream proxy or only the official plug-in?
Really hope this will be adressed by the guru's of ths forum

Current TIDAL app capability for MQA

Is it correct to assume the TIDAL app for Squeezebox needs to be modified to allow MQA files to flow through? Or is that already the case? If so, then all that's necessary is an MQA-certified DAC with either optical or coaxial digital input. I do know that Squeezebox digital output bypasses the built-in DAC.

The TIDAL computer app (both Windows and Mac) unfolds the MQA file (1/3) without any special hardware. If the author of the TIDAL app for the Squeezebox system did similarly, it would be a 'home run' for current users with TIDAL premium service.

From what I've learned from both reading and listening to Bob Stewart, there a four levels of improved audio. If I understand correctly: folded MQA (which can be streamed and played everywhere) is better than CD quality, 1/3 unfolded better yet, and finally 2/3 and 3/3 unfolding at the hardware level being the best.

The best SQT users, without a MQA-certified DAC, can hope to hear is a 1/3 unfolded MQA file.

Logitech Opportunity

Originally Posted by photonblur

Any chance the resident geniuses will enable
MQA streaming from the Tidal touch app?

I never really understood Logitech's business decision to cease production of the Squeezebox line or not sell the rights and patents. Logitech's employees are tight-lipped. Maybe audio engineers are too high priced?

I could be wrong, but I see a huge potential market for an MQA-certified Squeezebox Touch with a $299 price point. It's only a matter of time until some entrepreneur/venture capital group fills this space, imo.

MQA via Tidal

Interesting stuff Lee, thanks for sharing.
Have you tried Tidal via the Ickstream proxy or only the official plug-in?
Really hope this will be adressed by the guru's of ths forum

Not personally, however one of the other Meridian forum users did - direct comparison and with a MQA ready DAC - the explorer2 and Prime. No difference, MQA passed as it should would illuminate the respective display on both device and it doesn't. Swapping the same set up back to Roon - Touch enabled MQA as it should.

As such not a player or network issue, seems to be pointing at LMS interface with Tidal. Were there any any bandwidth limitations or other restrictions imposed by the developers of the TIdal app architecture when MQA was not a factor that would need to be addressed?

I could be wrong, but I see a huge potential market for an MQA-certified Squeezebox Touch with a $299 price point. It's only a matter of time until some entrepreneur/venture capital group fills this space, imo.

The touch as an end point does seem capable, it's the backend that is preventing MQA goodness. It may be that Roon is the answer without any pointers from the development community here.